New faculty members welcomed by school board
Dan McClelland
New faculty members welcomed to the Tupper Lake School District, from left: Andrew Heslink, Corinne Mather, Lindsey Maroun, Elizabeth Littlefield, Jacob Klossner, Whitney Bennett Britt, Amy Wilson and Mark Lienau. Not pictured are Heather Andresen and Melissa DeVirgeles (new school nurse). (Rich Rosentreter photos)
by Rich Rosentreter
The newest faculty members of the Tupper Lake Central School District were officially welcomed by the local school board Monday prior to its regular monthly meeting.
Each member of the school board lined up in the L.P. Quinn Elementary School library to formally introduce themselves, followed by each new faculty members giving a brief introduction.
First up was Amy Wilson, who graduated in 2005 from Tupper Lake. She said she has been teaching for eight years and is teaching high school math. She said she is happy to be working in her hometown school.
Mark Lienau teaches chemistry. He explained that getting a teaching certificate changed from Vermont to New York wasn’t very easy – but he managed to get the document with the help of state Senator Betty Little. He said he is happy he made the move to Tupper Lake and explained that his move was justified when he was welcomed by a large number students in the hallways that provided him with realizing the friendliness of the Tupper Lake community.
“It made me know that I made the right decision,” he said.
Lindsey Maroun graduated from Tupper Lake in 2015 and is a first-year teacher instructing the fifth grade.
“I think it’s just really exciting to be here,” she said.
Whitney Britt (formerly Bennett) was recently married and graduated in 2005 from Tupper Lake. She teaches Spanish.
“I like the seventh grade; it’s such a unique grade in which the students grow up so fast,” she said. “It’s great to be back to my old school.”
Elizabeth Littlefield said she worked in the school district previously from 2009 to 2016 and shared the sentiments of the local crop of new teachers. “I’m so happy to be back,” she said.
Jake Klossner also announced that he was born and raised in Tupper Lake and taught the previous three years in Kansas, where his mother is from and her grandparents live. He said he is happy to be in the district and dispelled the rumors that the other Mr. Klossner (Dennis) had changed positions from high school to teach fourth grade.
Andrew Heslink is the new health and physical education teacher and is certified to teach driver’s education. He said he has taught previously in other school districts and at the collegiate level.
Corrine Mather is the new ninth and tenth grade English teacher. She is in her first year teaching after recently graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh’s master’s degree program.
Following the brief introduction session, District Superintendent Seth McGowan told the newest members of the local faculty that he is pleased with the new hires.
“I’m very proud of this group so far. I think we’re off to a great start,” he said.